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Broncos dominate high scoring contest

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The Brisbane Broncos have bounced back into the winners circle, ending the Dragons' unbeaten run with a 36-20 victory at WIN Stadium, Wollongong tonight in front of 10,526 fans.

Brisbane came bursting out of the blocks, scoring twice in the space of three minutes after sustaining early pressure from the Dragons. Matt Gillett was the scorer on both occasions before the hosts hit back through a superb aerial display from winger Jason Nightingale.

The see-sawing nature of the contest continued despite the Broncos never trailing - the Dragons wrestled back the momentum inside the final 15 minutes of the first half, including a important try in the corner to winger Brett Morris. Going into the break trailing 18-10, the Dragons backed up their strong finish with an even better start to the second half, putting together an outstanding try off their first set. It was Nightingale's second of the night, beating Josh Hoffman to the ball off a Gerard Beale chip ahead.

Sadly for the Dragons, their defence steel didn't match their enterprising attack - just one set after their try, Todd Lowrie ran onto a short-ball and scored almost untouched. The home side's poor organisation in defence was exposed again at the hour mark when the Broncos extended their lead to 14 points.

The highlight of the night did come from the losing side however, with a length-of-the-field effort started by Adam Quinlan in picking off a Broncos kick near his own line. He avoided several defenders before linking up with Dylan Farrell, who also had Jason Nightingale in support. Great hands from the pair eventually fed the ball back to Quinlan, who was grounded 20m from the Broncos line. The next play saw the Dragons spread the ball left against a back-tracking Broncos defensive line... Gerard Beale taking full advantage to reduce the margin to ten.

Brisbane went on to control the game from there, adding another try through Ben Hunt in the final ten minutes, before the Dragons were denied a late consolation. The Saints will be hoping to welcome back Josh Dugan for some attacking spark and defensive mettle at the back when they host the Rabbitohs next Saturday night at the SCG, while Brisbane will take confidence from tonight's showing into a clash with the inconsistent Parramatta Eels next Friday back up at Suncorp.

TEAM NEWS | Not a lot to report tonight - the visiting Broncos are as per program, so David Hala drops off the five man bench. For the Dragons, Jack Stockwell will start at prop, as a result of Dan Hunt being out with a knee injury. Bronson Harrison drops off the bench. Despite rumours late in the week, Josh Dugan will NOT play.

Welcome to WIN Stadium, Wollongong - the first game of the 2014 season at the NSW South Coast venue and it pits the hosts - the stunningly unbeaten Dragons against fellow surprise packet Brisbane, who are only 2-and-1 through an amazing finish last Friday by premiers the Sydney Roosters. A bumper night of footy ahead - join us from 8pm.

UNDER 20's | Tonight's Holden Cup clash went the way of the Dragons, unbeaten in the juniors as well, 44-14 over the baby Broncos.

3: Early PENALTY to the Dragons after a few sets, they'll attack first off.

3: INJURY | Tyson Frizell (SGI) - late legs tackle from Matt Gillett it seems, but it's legal. Tyson is up and play goes on. Dragons 30m out on the third.

5: Another PENALTY to the Dragons, this time the Broncos have dragged Adam Quinlan into touch but the referee rules they've gone on with a little too much.

6: No luck for the Dragons, and the Broncos get out of their own end... and it's compounded by a penalty.

14: Dragons now with their first taste of attacking footy since the 6th minute.

15: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS Scored by Jason Nightingale. Kick to come.AIR NIGHTY! Widdop puts the ball high and across field... Jason Nightingale leaps out of nowhere and claims the ball, scoring the Dragons' first!

20: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.Big lead opening up for the Broncos as the rain starts to really tumble at WIN Stadium. Parker converts.

22: Gerard Beale concedes a costly PENALTY for the Dragons. Brisbane go from their own 20m to the Dragons 40m where a new set will start.

23: Last tackle Brisbane, the kick comes from the far side and comes down right in front of the posts... and WIDDOP rises above to claim it! Dragons need to play some good footy here to stay in the game.

24: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOSSam Thaiday makes an unforced error.Brisbane on the attack... and the slippery ball sees Thaiday spill it like a cake of soap. Dragons scrum on their own 10m.

27: Ben Barba is forced to clean up a last tackle Sam Williams grubber, and takes it into touch. It's a Dragons scrum 10m from Brisbane's line.

28: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS Scored by Brett Morris. Kick to come.It's a TRY! Quick hands out wide and Morris scores try 102 of a stellar career. He stays in well.

29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.In the rain, with the floodlights... and he nails it. Margin closes to eight, great sideline conversion from Widdop.

31: Great footy from the Saints, they're rolling up the park and the Broncos are having trouble containing them!

38: A double knock-on mid field after a Gareth Widdop chip - both Widdop and Ben Barba spilled it. Broncos scrum just short of halfway

40: And we have halftime - early parts dominated by Brisbane before the Dragons battled their way back into it.

41: We're back underway. Good start for the Dragons! VIDEO REFEREE possible TRY to Nightingale!

41: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS Scored by Jason Nightingale. Kick to come.What a start! The Dragons go wide on their first set... Beale makes the break, kicks ahead, and Nightingale beats Hoffman to the bounce!

43: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.No problems for Widdop to convert. Gap shortens to just two, early in the half!

45: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS Scored by Todd Lowrie. Kick to come.Soft, soft, soft. The Broncos shape to pass deep... and go short to the little man in Lowrie. He crashes over with barely a defender on him.

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.Parker has no trouble converting and Brisbane extended their lead once again.

49: A messy last tackle play for the Dragons means Nightingale is forced into an awkward punt from his own 30m line... the Broncos will attack from inside the Dragons half after Barba bought it back easily.

66: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS Scored by Gerard Beale. Kick to come.One of the best team tries you will EVER see! Quinlan with the initial break, then Farrell & Nightingale pitch in... Quinlan eventually brought down right touchline... they interchange the passing to the other side... and Beale exploits the overlap and SCORES!

73: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS Scored by Ben Hunt. Kick to come.Tyson Frizell down injured in backplay, Dragons defending with 12, Brisbane execute a set play and Ben Hunt goes through untouched. That'll be it in terms of the result.